Letters to the Editor

Article on toxicity in fish misleading

The article, "Mercury toxicity from fish unlikely" (Star-Advertiser, Dec. 12), entirely missed the most important public health concern and could cause real harm to babies in Hawaii.

You reported claims that selenium in ocean fish protects people from the toxic impacts of mercury. But studies have shown selenium provides no protection in animals exposed to mercury while still in the womb.

At high enough levels, mercury is a powerful chemical that can do permanent damage to the human brain and nervous system. Some studies have found decreases in learning ability, language skills and/or memory in children of mothers who frequently ate fish containing moderate or high levels of mercury. A mother may pass mercury to her child when it is still in the womb or through breast milk.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding can still enjoy our healthy local fish. Eating at least two servings of fish per week is associated with improved infant health.

Our flier, A Local Guide to Eating Fish Safely, urges pregnant women to select fish lower in mercury to safeguard the developing baby’s brain from the element’s harmful effects. See it at http://hawaii.gov/health/family-child-health/wic/nutrition_information/mercury.pdf.

Barbara Brooks
State toxicologist
Gary Gill
Deputy director for environmental health

Inouye impressed with his kindness

In 2001, during the anthrax scare, I paid a courtesy call on U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye in Washington, D.C.

All the senators had been moved out of the Hart Office Building and were forced to occupy cramped quarters in the Capitol. Three aides had to leave during my appointment, and each time the phone rang, Inouye had to cross the room to answer it.

"No, she’s not here right now," he would say.

When the appointment was over, he asked me if I would like to meet U.S Sen. Trent Lott.

"Yes," I said, taken aback by the offer but eager for the chance to meet the famous Mississippi senator.

Inouye walked me through the Capitol to Lott’s office and announced to his secretary, "I’d like Sen. Lott to meet a Hawaii Republican."

Lott was cordial and charming, and I managed to say nothing of particular importance. However, since then I have been most impressed with Inouye, who went out of his way to introduce a tadpole to a big frog in a big pond.

Barbara Marumoto
Waialae Iki

Statement on Schatz was out of touch

Leave it to David Chang and the Republican Party to come up with something many of Hawaii are thinking, huh?

Instead of simply congratulating Brian Schatz in his appointment to the U.S. Senate, Chang instead makes the comment that "he lacks the legitimacy of an election" — knowing full well that the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye’s position had to be filled by a Democratic Party selection, with Gov. Neil Abercrombie making the appointment.

It continues to show how out of touch Chang and the Republican Party are in Hawaii.Maybe they need to hire a PR person to handle responses from the party, instead of making some confusing comment that I guess is supposed to be a jab at Schatz not being elected to the position.

I think most of us who read the response from Chang are wondering why he had to make a comment like that.

Stan Sano
Makiki

Don’t reveal names of mass murderers

One way tocut down the number ofthese school shootings and other mass killings is to make sure the crazy gunmen get no publicity at all.

The law should be that news media can’t use the shooter’s name, and can only refer to the culprit as "the crazy killer" or the "insane shooter" or the like.

You get the Idea.

The public custom will be tonever mentiona killer’s name. He will be anunmentionable. His name will never be spoken again by anyone. It will be as if the shooter never existed.

William H. Brady
Moiliili

Gun control might help cut killings

I am really troubled by the killing of innocent children and adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

I guess the best approach for me is: Don’t concentrate on thisevil done by one person; rather, think about what I can do to help others.

How about gun control? Remember when life-saving seat belts were a real pain but now are almost automatic? Or the front and side impact air bags that protect the drivers and passengersin auto accidents?

Morerecently, ignition interlock devicesreducethe number of people killed by drunken drivers. Currently, there are 17 states where interlocks are mandatory for first DUI offenders.

If we can help prevent deaths from cars driven by people, we can certainly find ways to reduce deaths from guns used by people.

James R. Arcate
Manoa

Keep Kawela Bay free from hotels

I hope the Trust for Public Land can save Kawela Bay.

Could you please print pictures so people can see how unique this undeveloped area is?

To lose this singular beach to resort housing is a mind-numbing prospect.

The current owners have blanketed the community with a very persuasive brochure promoting "tomorrow’s ahupuaa."

I find it appalling that they boast of "only" two hotels. And they openly admit to the impact on multiple marine species.

Dress it up any way you like, it’s still massive development.

The impact of this would be monumental.

There is still time to save Kawela Bay for future generations to treasure.

Morgan Dorr
Kahuku